Afghanistan’s Pomegranate Exports Hit $33 Million, But Challenges Persist

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that in the first eight months of the current solar year (1403), Afghanistan exported over $33 million worth of pomegranates.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, stated that most pomegranate exports were sent to Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates.

The spokesperson said: “Afghanistan exported approximately 63,000 tons of pomegranates over eight months in 1403, valued at $33.3 million. The exports were made to countries including India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, the UAE, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.”

Some orchard owners who traveled to Kabul from provinces to sell their pomegranate produce said that while pomegranate yields increased this year, the market for selling the fruit remained sluggish.

Zia-ul-Haq, an orchard owner from Farah province, stated: “This year, our yields were high, but the problem is that there’s no proper market for selling.”

Mohammad Zarif, another orchard owner from Farah, said: “We paid 70,000 afghani in rent. The municipality charges 300 afghani per ton, there are seven to eight checkpoints along the way that collect 700 to 800 afghani, and transport costs us 1,000 afghani.”

Meanwhile, some traders highlighted that due to trade challenges with Pakistan, pomegranate exports decreased this year. They urged the Islamic Emirate’s officials to establish alternative trade routes and activate air corridors to boost exports.

Mohammad Agha Sadat, a trader, told : “We can’t even cover our expenses. One major issue is the low value of the Pakistani rupee, with 1,000 rupees equaling 240 afghani. Additionally, they tax us 76 rupees per kilogram. This year, we had no exports—our exports were zero.”

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock reported that pomegranate yields had increased this year compared to the previous year.

Misbahuddin Mustaeen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, said: “The ministry is always working to provide greater facilities for the production and harvesting of agricultural products and supports farmers and orchard owners in selling their produce.”

Afghanistan, an agricultural country, relies heavily on this sector, with over 80% of its citizens engaged in agriculture for their livelihoods.